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Van & Stella’s story will be 99 CENTS until its official release date of May 12th!

SPECIAL SIGNED EDITION WILL BE AVAILABLE THIS WEEK ONLY!

BOOK SUMMARY:

When Stella Jo Chandler gets an offer to work at the Second Chance Ranch celebrity rehab facility right after graduating from Texas A&M, she’s tempted to turn it down. She wants to help real people with real problems, not spoiled celebrities going on vacation for publicity. But growing up on her family’s ranch left her with a love of horses that draws her to the opportunity. How bad can babysitting a bunch of strung out celebrities be?

What she didn’t count on was being roped into a tangled mess with infamous rocker and three-time rehab drop out Van Ransom on her first day. And she sure didn’t expect to feel the overwhelming attraction that pulls her to the man who has more issues than she can count on both hands. Like the hotel rooms and tour buses he’s famous for trashing, the havoc he could wreak on Stella’s heart would be irreparable.

Van isn’t at Second Chance for publicity or because he’s suffering from “exhaustion”. He’s on the brink of destruction, and he needs the kind of help Stella isn’t sure she can give. But without her, he’ll lose everything. Because he’s on his last second chance.

MY REVIEW:

I was fortunate to receive an early copy of this book from Caisey Quinn. She starts the book off with this acknowledgment: For those of you who’ve ever loved someone who was broken. It takes true devotion to give a piece of your soul to someone else. In her Author’s Note, she explains that Van and Stella’s story is an extremely personal one for her as addiction has plagued her family and it was hard for her to face Van’s story. I love it when an author writes from an emotional place because it provides us a a character who we connect with on a deeper level. The emotions seem so real. Caisey Quinn achieved that her with Van and Stella. I don’t want to give too much away but make sure you pick up this book. You won’t regret it.

I was super excited to be selected as one of Jen McLaughlin’s Super Fans for this week leading up to the release of Out of Mind. If you haven’t read her Out of Line New Adult Series, pick them up now. I received the ARC of Out of Mind and I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It releases April 29th!

My review for Out of Line:

Out of Mind is the 3rd and final installment in the Out of Line trilogy. I often find that the ending of trilogies can be a bit disappointing but Jen finishes this trilogy with an absolutely heartwarming HEA. I won’t say it is an issue road for our couple but Carrie and Finn navigate quite a difficult road in this book. If you haven’t read the first two books, definitely read Out of Line and Out of Time first.

In Out of Mind, Finn comes home to Carrie but he is the only soldier that survives a horrible explosion in his platoon. He is both mentally and physically damaged. He and Carrie both know he is suffering from PTSD and neither knows what to do to help him through it. PTSD is not dealt with lightly and it was refreshing that a romance novel didn’t “pretty up” an extremely ugly and dangerous issue for our vets. Jen McLaughlin doesn’t make it easy for Finn and Carrie to overcome Finn’s PTSD and there are chapters that are gut wrenching and hard to read. PTSD can destroy a person’s life and relationships and Finn and Carrie really suffer in this book from it. The months that Finn and Carrie are separated seemed honest, realistic, and brutal. Writing these chapters must have been difficult for Jen but this is what makes her shine as an author.

In the end, Carrie and Finn work through their issues and end up with a fantastic HEA. It was a bit crushing for the series to end but Out of Mind really ended the series on an extreme high note. The storyline was strong and touching. I finished this book in one reading. I couldn’t put it down. Jen McLaughlin never fails to give us a steamy romance but she was really exceptional in Out of Mind. Jen, I can’t wait for our next New Adult Series!

Check out my review for Out of Time. This is the second book in the series!

Today, my husband turns the Big 4-0! I figured I should give him a shout out for the milestone! We celebrated John’s birthday this weekend in style by heading off to New Orleans with no kids. It was a great time and I believe John will be writing about it later this week. Thanks to Mamaw and Papaw as well as Aunt Courtney and Uncle Matt for babysitting for the weekend!

Today, we have to go about our normal day to day routine but we will celebrate as a family at home with some good food, a few decorations and of course some sweets!

For those of you that know me, I don’t dole out compliments or praise easily but I should tell John more what a great husband and father he is…..so today, I am going to tell him why I am thankful for having him in our lives!
1. You gave me two beautiful boys that I can’t imagine life without.
2. You listen to me, you listen to our boys, you listen to family and friends, you really listen and
remember what everyone tells you. You are a good shoulder to lean on.
3. You put us first…always. You are the only partner in a law firm that I know that comes home everyday
at 5 to make dinner, hang out, play and connect as a family.
4. When life gets tough, you don’t cut and run. You admit your faults, mistakes and try to grow from
them all.
5. And lastly, you handle me with more patience and understanding than any other person in my life has
over the years. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it!

Ok, that is enough of the mushy stuff from me. Not really my cup of tea but I will say one last time…

I love when authors build a world that you want to get lost in and especially when the characters are deliciously addictive! The Proposition is book number 1 in the new Proposition series and it follows Hallie, a young girl with a complicated past and and Bryan Ferro, who is cousin to the hot Ferro brothers. You are immediately thrown into Hallie’s story. She is battling a pretty deep depression. Her father who was her biggest supporter and lifeline, has died and left her with not only a deep whole in her heart but a mountain of bills. Her boyfriend Neil is the only lifeline she seems to have and he is constantly trying to help pull her out of her depression. In an effort to cleanse her heart and her mind, she stays attached to her computer writing about her past and a long lost love. The story is very graphic and erotic and she decides to publish it on the internet. The unthinkable happens and people are clamoring for the story. She tells everyone including Neil that it is a work of fiction but clearly it is not and the love story includes Bryan Ferro.

We are of course left with a bit of a cliffhanger which is expected since this is a serial. I am hooked already. Love Hallie. Hallie is going to be a fantastic heroine She’s sharp, balanced and tough even though her heart has been broken and she has stumbled a bit after her dad’s death. Bryan is going to be another stunning Ferro. He will not go unnoticed. He is incredibly hot, sexy and clearly has a dark side.

Well, I have to say that everyone needs to read the Hard Ink Series by Laura Kaye. This is only Book 2 so go download both books! I was given an ARC of this book and I reviewed it here http://nc2dc.blogspot.com/2014/02/book-review-hard-as-you-can-by-laura.html. These soldiers and the ladies in their life make for quite a story. This series is a real page turner. As part of the Release Day Party, I have Q&A with Laura Kaye about Hard as You Can as well as an excerpt!

Q&A WITH LAURA KAYE

HARD AS YOU CAN is your second book in the “Hard Ink” series (after USA Today bestseller, HARD AS IT GETS). What can readers look forward to?

Readers can look forward to tons of sexy alpha male goodness, awesome bromance between the Hard Ink men, more antics from the Hard Ink puppy, and another great love story between Shane and Crystal. But readers should also be ready for a book that is darker, more intense, and more emotional. This book pushed me to emotional places that were tough as a writer, and might be tough for readers, too. But I think that just makes the payoff at the end so much sweeter!

Describe Shane and Crystal. What are their best traits? What are their weaknesses?

Shane and Crystal are such an amazing couple to me. They’re each exactly what the other needs. Shane’s best traits are his protectiveness, his fundamental kindness, and his soul-deep loyalty (his southern accent and humor are also right up there!). His biggest weakness for sure is a tragedy from the past for which he blames himself—and it’s something that continues to motivate him in Hard As You Can. Crystal’s best traits are her courage, protectiveness, and selflessness—she’s willing to do anything to keep her younger sister safe. Her biggest weakness is also that selflessness, because the sacrifices she’s required to make are getting bigger and bigger and bigger.

If you could describe your book in a 140 character tweet, what would it be?

When a woman in trouble assists an ex-soldier’s covert mission to regain his team’s stolen honor, he finds a new mission to save her, too

What are you most excited about with this second book release?

I’m really excited to take readers deeper into these awesome characters and into the mystery behind the Hard Ink team’s ambush and discharge!

What books are you reading right now?

I’m almost done with Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander (yes, I’m very late to the party but OMG JAMIE FRASER!!!). And I’ve recently devoured and loved Juliana Stone’s Offsides and Shelly Thacker’s time-travel historical romance, Forever His.

Release day is finally here! And I’m thrilled to share Hard As You Can, the second book in my Hard Ink series, with all of you here today! Hard As You Canfollows the surviving members of a disgraced Army Special Forces team as they fight to regain their stolen honor, and finds their investigation crossing paths with a waitress willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive and protect her younger sister. For Shane McCallan, saving Crystal Dean is a mission he refuses to turn down.

Today, I’m super excited to share a sexy and emotional excerpt with you guys! Here we go:

“Don’t look at me like that, Crystal,” Shane said, his voice a raw scrape. It wasn’t a demand or a threat. It was a plea. And the thought that this big, strong, powerful man was begging her for anything was thrilling.

“Like what?” she asked, dragging her gaze up to his. In the diffuse light of the streetlamp, she could tell his eyes were absolutely blazing, and it only fueled the arousal rising up inside her.

“Like maybe you want me the way I want you.” Tilting his head, he nuzzled his face against hers, the tip of his nose trailing over her cheek, his breath ghosting over her lips. “Like maybe you’d let me kiss you and touch you.” A quick brush of his lips against her temple and ear. “Like maybe you’d let me in.”

Crystal could barely breathe for the way her heart was pounding and her pulse was racing. She slid a hand up his chest to his neck, wanting, needing, just absolutely yearning to have this. Just this once.

Leaning into him, Crystal held his gaze and adored the way his expression filled with such expectant satisfaction, like she’d surprised him. Pleased him. She pressed her lips to his.

The groan he unleashed was needful, almost triumphant. His arms came around her gently and pulled her in. And it wasn’t enough. She needed to be closer. Deeper.

She needed more of Shane McCallan.

She might never get another chance.

A flicker of unbidden panic whipped through her body. Bruno had been her only lover for the past four years, and she’d only been able to take him inside her after months’ buildup of trust and familiarity of touch. That was back before he’d shown his true colors. Or before she’d shed her naïveté. Maybe they were the same thing. Who knew? Stop thinking about Bruno and get out of your head.Just feel. You deserve this. You need this. Besides, cartbefore horse, much?

“I’m glad you came,” she said, combing her fingers through the sides of his hair, then holding his face in her hands.

“What do you want, sweetness? I’d give you anything.” Over her hoodie, his hands rubbed up and down her back, hip to shoulder, hip to shoulder.

Crystal couldn’t find the words, so she tilted her face and claimed his lips, and this time the kiss unleashed a fire that seemed to flash through both of them. She shifted into a kneeling position between his thighs, and he hauled her into his lap so that she straddled him. The position brought the hard length of his cock between her legs and she gasped and moaned at the feel of him so close to where she was wet and wanting.

They pressed closer, held tighter, kissed more deeply until all Crystal knew, all that existed in the world, was this moment, this place, this man.

Shane’s hands moved over her body. Fisting in the long lengths of her hair. Gently cupping and massaging her breasts. Stroking her bare thighs. Crystal adored the way he seemed to need to touch her. How powerful and necessary human touch was. How life-giving and affirming. And how simply mind-blowing was it to discover that touch could be a giving thing, not just about taking, that touch could be healing, and not just about hurting, that touch could comfort, and not just exert control. Even when things had been better with Bruno, they’d never been like this.

And to think she’d found someone who could teach her something so fundamental that she’d never known before. Or, maybe, she’d known but hadn’t believed. Now she did. Because of Shane. No matter how little time she got to have him in her life, she would always be grateful that he’d shown her what it could be like. With the right person.

Gripping her hair in his fist, Shane reclined her head, opening the line of her throat to his worshipful lips and tongue. He trailed a path of liquid fire over her flesh that left her dizzy, totally awash in sensation. He tugged her hips in tighter, and Crystal moaned at the friction the movement created. He was deliciously hard and thick between her legs. Unable to resist, she rocked herself against him as he laid her back farther so he could kiss her the small part of her chest the V-neck of the hoodie revealed.

Slowly, he drew down the zipper, trailing kisses lower and lower until the heat of his breath fanned over her nipple through the thin fabric of her uniform. Just as slow, Shane raised her back up, bringing their bodies together again. Crystal ran her hands over his chest and stomach, but what she most needed was to feel him, skin on skin. Pulling back from their kiss, she tugged at the hem of his shirt, silently asking for permission.

“Anything you want,” he whispered, taking her belly and her heart on a loop-the-loop.

Man, I just loved writing these two! *grins* Did you have a favorite line? Thanks for reading!

Ever since hard-bodied, drop-dead-charming Shane McCallan strolled into the dance club where Crystal Dean works, he’s shown a knack for getting beneath her defenses. For her little sister’s sake, Crystal can’t get too close. Until her job and Shane’s mission intersect, and he reveals talents that go deeper than she could have guessed.Shane would never turn his back on a friend in need, especially a former Special Forces teammate running a dangerous, off-the-books operation. Nor can he walk away from Crystal. The gorgeous waitress is hiding secrets she doesn’t want him to uncover. Too bad. He’s exactly the man she needs to protect her sister, her life, and her heart. All he has to do is convince her that when something feels this good, you hold on as hard as you can–and never let go.

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

a Rafflecopter giveaway http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/OTdhNTVlZDQxM2U4Y2M5ZTI2MzA4OWRjMjM4OWEyOjE4/ Laura will also be hosting a Facebook party for HARD AS YOU CAN on 2/25 from 12-9pm EST if you want to help spread the word, that’d be great: https://www.facebook.com/events/416084181828110

Title: Whiskey KissesSeries: 3:AM Kisses #4Can be read as a standalonePublication Date: Summer 2014Summary: 27 year-old Izzy Sawyer has a secret, and it’s turned her life upside down. She believes she’s the last person on earth who deserves a happily-ever-after.

22 year-old bartender Holt Edwards has a secret of his own that cost him far more than he ever bargained for. And when it comes to love, he doesn’t believe in fairytale endings.

Izzy is amassing social phobias as quickly as she is cats. She’s notoriously incapable of making a decision, and her love life has yet to take off because of it. When her sister offers to set her up on a series of blind dates, Izzy breaks her bad habit of indecisiveness and agrees to the idea—after all, she’s already on the brink of insanity.

Holt has worshiped Izzy from afar for as long as he can remember, and now that her sister has talked her into a string of blind dates he’s generously offered to help Izzy navigate the battlefield of romance.

Things get heated when Holt takes his “coaching” endeavors to a physical level, and Izzy is blindsided when she discovers she’s falling hard for someone five years her junior. Izzy wants nothing more than to forget the world and drink down Holt Edwards and his late night Whiskey Kisses.

Izzy is starting to think that happily ever after doesn’t seem like such a bad idea.

Holt is starting to rethink his stance on fairytale endings—but secrets are exposed, and worlds are blown apart—the only thing Holt and Izzy have left when the dust settles is each other. Once they get a good look at who they truly are, will they help each other heal or repel and run for safety?

About the Author: Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine. Previously she worked for nearly a decade as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit. She resides with her husband, four wonderful children, and two dogs on the West Coast where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.

We’re extremely excited to bring you the cover for ALL LINED UP, the first book in Cora Carmack’s highly anticipated Rusk University Series! ALL LINED UP is a New Adult Contemporary Romance novel published by William Morrow (an imprint of HarperCollins). It is due to be released on May 13, 2014!!

ABOUT ALL LINED UP:

In Texas, two things are cherished above all else—football and gossip. My life has always been ruled by both.

Dallas Cole loathes football. That’s what happens when you spend your whole childhood coming in second to a sport. College is her time to step out of the bleachers, and put the playing field (and the players) in her past.

But life doesn’t always go as planned. As if going to the same college as her football star ex wasn’t bad enough, her father, a Texas high school coaching phenom, has decided to make the jump to college ball… as the new head coach at Rusk University. Dallas finds herself in the shadows of her father and football all over again.

Carson McClain is determined to go from second-string quarterback to the starting line-up. He needs the scholarship and the future that football provides. But when a beautiful redhead literally falls into his life, his focus is more than tested. It’s obliterated.

Dallas doesn’t know Carson is on the team. Carson doesn’t know that Dallas is his new coach’s daughter.

And neither of them knows how to walk away from the attraction they feel.

Pre-Order Links:AmazonBarnes & NobleiTunesAbout Cora Carmack: Cora Carmack is a twenty-something writer who likes to write about twenty-something characters. She’s done a multitude of things in her life– boring jobs (like working retail), Fun jobs (like working in a theatre), stressful jobs (like teaching), and dream jobs (like writing). She enjoys placing her characters in the most awkward situations possible, and then trying to help them get a boyfriend out of it. Awkward people need love, too. Her first book, LOSING IT, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Links:WebsiteTwitterFacebookAuthor GoodreadsALL LINED UP Goodreads

We are so pleased to announce that Courtney Cole’s THE MINALDI LEGACY is finally out in the world!! Go grab your copy of this amazing dark, contemporary romance today!! THE MINALDI LEGACY Synopsis:

“I’m a monster, Eva. There’s no saving a monster. But I love that you want to try.”

Luca Minaldi is rich, powerful and mesmerizing. He’s also a reclusive enigma. He lives in Malta, a fairy-tale place filled with sunshine and sea, beauty and secrets. And Luca’s darkest of secrets is the best-kept of them all. Eva Talbot moves to Malta to finish her doctoral dissertation in Psychiatry. When she meets Luca, there is a very real and instant attraction that she has never felt before. But even still, she senses the darkness that lives within him. Eva is hired to care for Luca’s mother, a woman who suffers from dementia. It is Luca, however, that Eva will eventually risk everything to save… as the legacy that plagues him continues. As the darkness swirls ever more tightly around her, Eva realizes that no matter how hard she tries, she might not be able to save Luca without losing herself. Eva and Luca are thrust into a world where their love is tested and darkness reigns. Amid chaos and treachery, love and hate, Luca and Eva learn one important thing. Love is dangerous. But it also might be the one thing that can save them all. ******** The Minaldi Legacy consists of two parts, part one: Of Blood and Bone and part two: Of Darkness and Demons. It contains adult themes and content. EXCERPT: “Miss, is everything alright?” A deep voice is calling from outside of my house. And before I can think about it and remember that I don’t know anyone here and that a stranger really shouldn’t be outside of my house, particularly in the middle of the night, I answer. “No. I’m not.” In a scant moment, a man bursts into my bedroom. He looks startled to see that I am alone. And I am startled because he’s alarmingly handsome. So it appears that we are both startled as we stare at each other. He’s dark haired, tanned, and has dark eyes. His bangs are hanging artfully in his eyes, although the hair on the back of his head is a little shorter. It’s a style that works for him. He’s got broad shoulders, slim hips, chiseled yet graceful features and Sweet Merciful Mary, he’s beautiful. He’s dressed in jogging shorts and running shoes and a bead of sweat trickles down his temple. I don’t even have time to wonder why he’s out for a run in the middle of the night before I notice that he’s also got that sexy, day-old stubble that I so love on a man. I swallow and realize that my mouth has gone dry. “Are you alright?” he asks, his eyes skimming over me, assessing the situation. It’s a valid question. I had been screaming bloody hell, after all. I nod. Then shake my head. “Spider,” I whisper. His dark eyes widen and he follows my pointing finger with his gaze. Then he laughs, husky and rich. “Spider,” he confirms with a nod, his dark eyes sparkling in amusement. “It looks like you’ve got yourself a perfect specimen of the Writing Spider.” “Writing Spider?” I repeat, watching it nervously, making sure it doesn’t try to run across the bedroom floor and up my leg. “Is it poisonous?” Handsome Running Guy nods solemnly. “Oh, it’s a known killer, alright.” I gasp and lurch even further away from the hairy creature on my bed and Handsome Running Guy laughs. “I’m sorry. I’m only joking. I couldn’t resist. It’s not poisonous. I think its scientific name is Black and Yellow Argiope, or something like that. They are all over here. But you wouldn’t know that because you’re not from here, are you?” I shake my head again, trying not to be overly enthralled with his charming accent. “Is it that obvious?” He smiles and suddenly it seems like all natural sources of light are pouring into my room, originating from this man. He’s got such a strong presence that it makes my spine tingle. And my stomach is fluttering in a way that it hasn’t fluttered since high school. Interesting. He shakes his head and then holds out his hand. “Luca Minaldi,” he tells me and his fingers are cool as he shakes my hand. “Evangeline Talbot,” I answer. “But my friends call me Eva.” “It’s nice to meet you,” and his eyes agree with him as he stares at me. “The question now is would you like for me to kill your uninvited guest or should I release him into the wilds?” “Kill it,” I say firmly. Slight disapproval passes over Luca’s face like a shadow. “Are you certain?” he asks. “It’s an amazing specimen and they do eat bugs. Bugs can get pesky here in Malta, Evangeline.” “You can call me Eva,” I answer. “And if we release it into the outdoors, he might come back in.” I shudder again at that thought. “True,” Luca agrees. “And so might anyone else. Your door wasn’t locked. And I can’t call you Eva. We’re not yet friends.” ABOUT COURTNEY COLE: Courtney Cole is a novelist who would eat mythology for breakfast if she could. She has a degree in Business, but has since discovered that corporate America is not nearly as fun to live in as fictional worlds. She loves chocolate and roller coasters and hates waiting and rude people. Courtney lives in quiet suburbia, close to Lake Michigan, with her real-life Prince Charming, her ornery kids (there is a small chance that they get their orneriness from their mother) and a small domestic zoo. a Rafflecopter giveawayLINKS: Website: http://www.courtneycoleauthor.com/ Blog: http://courtneycolewrites.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Court_Writes Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/#!/courtneycolewrites Author Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3112212.Courtney_Cole The Minaldi Legacy Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/series/97613-the-minaldi-legacy Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/Courtney-Cole/e/B004Y4Z8ZU/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1375577792&sr=8-2-ent

Laura Kaye can not write the Hard Ink Novels fast enough. I might give a small organ to get ahold of all of them at once instead of waiting patiently! I have been reading a lot of book series lately and this is one of the best I have read. Not only are the characters well developed but the underlying storyline is well thought out and moves along at just the right pace that leaves you wanting more. You never get all the answers in one book so you are dying to read the next.

Hard as You Can is the second in the series and it follows Shane McCallan and Crystal Dean. Shane is nothing short of hot with his southern drawl and chiseled body. Shane first runs into Crystal during Book #1 Hard as You Get and he can’t seem to forget her.

Crystal Dean is working off her father’s debt to some unsavory characters. If losing her father wasn’t bad enough, she is forced into working for these low lives to shelter her sister. Crystal has suffered more than anyone should bear but she is willing to do it for the ones she loves the most.

When Crystal helps Shane and his team, he takes notices and quickly sees that she needs help. Shane has a thing for a woman that need rescuing. Shane has his reasons, reasons from his past that he can’t seem to shake. Crystal definitely needs help but can Shane and Crystal help each other and keep their distance. The closer Shame and Crystal become only puts Crystal and her sister at more risk. Shane and the Hard Ink crew continue their man hunt to uncover why their former Commander turned on them and where do Crystal and her employers fit into the puzzle.

Hard As You Can is a must read. I personally can’t wait for the next in the series! All of these guys deserve a book and it will be a pleasure reading each and every one of them!

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I was born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina. I graduated from high school and headed to Chapel Hill to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Go Heels! After four glorious years, I moved up to Washington, DC to attend law school at Catholic University where I met my husband John.

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